Simply put, Seattle's favorite son, Anthony Shears, is a movement unto himself. From literally changing the face of urban music in Seattle with his trendsetting, redefining sense of style, and signature Gang Green, to the secret code he's developed with the rest of his Seattle constituents, Shears has welcomed the world to Seattle and begun his ascent to the top of rap's elite. Get down or lay down.
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Check out another article about Anthony!
http://shoreline.edu/ebbtide/archive/v41/03/a&e/a&e2.asp
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A&E EBBTIDE
Anthony Shears: Hooked on phonetic
Chaim Eliyah
Staff Writer
http://shoreline.edu/ebbtide/archive/v41/03/a&e/a&e2.asp
Local and national hip hop
artist Anthony Shears was at Shoreline Community College Thursday for an
interview. Shears has been working to promote his latest CD, "Welcome to
Seattle," which was completed two years ago. The CD, Shears said, was
completed in a fragmented fashion, song by song – as if each song were its
own project.
Originally from Brooklyn, Shears is personable and down-to-earth with a
great sense of humor. He is well dressed and has an amazing passion for
life and his work through music. He showed up to the interview looking
clean cut yet casual, and he showed me his Star of David after seeing the
one that I always wear, indicating a part of his diverse cultural
background.
Shears' music is reminiscent of his influences – Jay Z, LL Cool J, Tupac,
Biggie, Jada Kiss, T.I., Little Wayne, Ray Charles, and Michael Jackson,
as well as old Motown influences. They can all be heard on the album.
Shears and long-time friend and high-school companion D.J. Phonetic
take an eclectic approach to their music, often inserting diverse quotes
where you might not expect them and ending flows abruptly as soon as a
point has been made. Phonetic makes his own beats. Shears described
Phonetic as a multi-talented character who plays guitar, violin, bass,
piano, and possibly a couple of other instruments. He's not like your
average, run-of-the-mill D.J said Shears. Phonetic will sit for hours to
perfect a beat, with an ear to the melody and harmony, and really knows
how to cater beats to feeling. "If he's depressed, the beats will sound
depressing. When he's happy, the music is uplifting," said Shears.
Phonetic also
produces the albums.
Shears wanted a distinct sound for his music that would rival the genius
of other Seattle artists in the past such as Quincy Jones, Kenny G, the
distinctive grunge-movement artists, and others. With that idea in mind,
Shears recorded "Welcome to Seattle" and then went to the east coast to
demonstrate the CD. The response from Atlanta was, "like, wow, hot," said
Shears, and he had a chance to play with Jada Kiss and Fabolous at
Homecoming. Shears also quickly procured radio-play status in New
Hampshire, Boston, and New York and performed live at a variety of venues.
"It's real music," said Shears, indicating the quality of his music in
comparison to what he believes is a very emotionally lacking hip-hop
scene. "The songs are a glimpse into my diary. People that aren't feeling
[the music] can hurt [me] for that reason, but that's the yin and the yang
of producing great music," he said. "When you're writing a song you're
trying to capture an emotion. I make music I feel and it markets itself.
There's no question of credibility. That's what makes a two-year-old
project still relevant today – everybody's dealt with being hungry and
alone, and [they've also felt] the sun shining. I don't just want all the
little thugs at the shows. I want to see everybody there, I think there's
something for everyone."
Shears' lyrics are indeed diverse and hard-hitting. Not only does he have
a mind for what music fans might identify with, such as infectious clauses
and pop-musical references, but he has an eye for what is going on
socially within major urban areas. "Even Harlem is gentrified now," he
said of New York, showing a sociological prowess many youth don't possess.
"I grew up when Jane's addiction wasn't no rock band," says Shears
lyrically in a song, "but who's to blame Jane
for putting that needle in her vein, when she herself came out the womb
addicted to cocaine?"
Look for posters of Anthony Shears' upcoming show on campus in
mid-November. He will also be playing locally Dec. 3 at the Recreational
Center in Shoreline.
January 20, 2006
Seattle--born MC returns to the
UW
Jacob Casey / Contributing writer
Click to link to the article
With more bombast than Blue Scholars, and a considerable amount more
savoir-faire than Sir Mix-a-Lot, Anthony Shears, a recent transfer to the
UW and a Seattle native, is an MC whose talent compares with Seattle's
best. His music has been played on KUBE 93.3, and he has played shows
across the country and in Europe. In person, Shears is an unassuming UW
senior whose reserved smile and easy confidence belies the experience of
an explosive and seasoned MC.
Shears' life has been full of hardship -- sincerity and pain are evident
in Shears' earnest rhymes in his latest mixtape The Growth. He said the
title is meant to reflect his growth as a result of the
experiences and difficulties he's faced since his last release, including
the death of his father. The as yet unreleased mixtape includes a catchy
sample from Maroon 5, as well more traditional rap
tracks.
Shears transferred to the UW winter quarter from Dartmouth College for
family reasons. He is now an economics major in his senior year. Shears,
who has lived in Yesler Terrace public housing, is an outstanding student,
said Darlene Shears, his mother.
At times he can channel a young Jay-Z, both in sound and vocal ability.
Though his outward calm mirrors that of a Shaolin monk of the Wu-Tang
clan, his attack on the mic can be equally fierce. Producer Zach Gannis
(DJ Phonetic) backs up Shears' rhymes with original beats, samplings of
Motown classics and beats borrowed from East Coast rap outfits such as
Dipset. Shears said Gannis is looking at transferring from Western
Washington University to the UW in the spring in order to help Shears'
musical efforts.
"My main concerns," DJ Phonetic says, "are the aesthetics and feel of the
music. Shears will come and put the meaning behind the music."
Shears describes his working relationship with DJ Phonetic.
"DJ Phonetic is really into it, and I think it's a good balance. He's yin,
I'm the yang. He's totally from rock, but he loves hip-hop," Shears said.
The new mixtape's centerpiece is Shears' "Mea Culpa," featuring a mournful
Marvin Gaye sample. Shears plans to release the album Feb. 17 -- his
brother's birthday.
Shears said he is proud to be reunited with his brother, Norris Frederick,
a track scholarship athlete at the UW.
"I'm his biggest fan, he's my biggest fan. We've always been best
friends," said Shears. "That's been the hardest part about being away; not
being able to go to all his games."
Frederick holds his brother in the same high esteem.
"His music is very inspirational," Frederick said of his brother, "It has
a lot of meaning and feeling behind it."
Shears is considering recording a song about UW athletics in honor of his
brother and the school.
Even without the issue of his much-anticipated mixtape The Growth, Shears
has a well-established repertoire. His first mixtape, Welcome2Seattle, was
released two years ago and has gone on to sell impressively, according to
Shears.
Much of the message in Shears' music is about Shears' own personal life
path, which has been a long a circuitous road that now finds the Seattle
native at the UW -- a decision he doesn't regret.
"I originally started off about to go to the University of Washington, but
I felt like I needed to get out," explained Shears. "I've traveled the
world twice now, so I feel like coming back home, I'm ready now."
He attended Nathan Hale High School in Seattle. Despite being expelled
once during his sophomore year, he was featured on the cover of The Sunday
Seattle Times at his graduation for his academic accomplishments, the
first person of color to achieve that honor.
Shears moved on to Morehouse College, an all black all-male college. He
left the school during his sophomore year after applying and being
accepted to Dartmouth on a full-ride scholarship.
"The world is not all black males, and I wanted to expose myself to the
wealth and old boy networks I had heard about."
Shears said he found time while he was at Dartmouth to tour the college
circuit on the East Coast to promote his music. He says he gained a lot of
performance experience and learned to play up rivalries between
universities.
"At a Bryn Mawr show I started off with something about Smith, and at a
Smith show I started off with something about Bryn Mawr. Both crowds were
automatically psyched."
Despite spending so much time away, Shears has remained true to form as a
Seattle-born MC.
"I've definitely held Seattle down everywhere I go from New York to
Poland," said Shears. In his time at Dartmouth, Shears went on a trip to
Europe to restore Jewish cemeteries. He took the opportunity to perform in
Belarus and Poland.
"There's not a whole lot of hip-hop in Eastern Europe, there's not a whole
lot of black people period, so it's kind of like being an alien just
walking around Belarus, but people were really receptive to it."
He rocked a crowd of Polish teenagers that didn't speak English.
"I think even though most of them couldn't understand what I was saying
just the emotions of what I was saying carried the show," Shears said.
The magnetism of the young MC is well illustrated by the list of friends
he has on MySpace. His comments are primarily from other hip-hop
performers and fans he's met on tour, many of whom are women.
The well-traveled senior is now looking to make his mark on Seattle
hip-hop and beyond.
"I've had about 10 performances since I've been back, and they've all gone
really well," Shears said.
He has recently played on KUBE 93.3 and Eastern Washington college radio.
Shears, who has not yet heard his songs on the radio, said of his airtime,
"Man, when I can hear it on the radio, it will be a great feeling."
But Shears won't be stopped there. He said he has many more plans for the
future.
"I feel like I'm a 'hood sociologist. It sounds crazy, but I think it
makes sense. I've been there, and now that I have people's attention,
everyone is going to know exactly what happens in the 'hood. I was born to
move mountains -- born to give hope to the hopeless so that's exactly what
I'm going to do. It's destiny, man!"
October, 2005
The Growth – His ENDtroduction
by Bayer L. Mack
I’m sitting in a parking lot trying to make sense of the scribbled notes in my lap. They’re from an interview I did earlier with some “new” artist from the Shears Music Group. It’s one of those interviews you do for a “friend” in order to get a big favor later. Don’t get me wrong; he was a real cool brotha. Our conversation was broad. It shifted from his desire to be recognized outside Seattle, to his views on Hip Hop, and “all this talk of the streets.” As I sift through the chicken scratch, a song begins playing in the stereo. Instinctively, I begin to nod to the track’s infectious hook and hard driving beat. I like it. Then it dawns on me. The song that was playing is by this same guy. I think to myself, “This could be big.”
That was August 22, 2004. The song was “U Can’t Hurt Me Anymore.” The artist was Anthony Shears. The rest is history.
Six months, four days and over 5,000 mixtapes later, the self-proclaimed “Artist’s Artist” is calling again, only now he’s getting the acceptance and recognition he desires. However, true to the immortal words of the Notorious B.I.G., mo’ money brings mo’ problems, jealousy and envy. In October of this year, Shears found himself in the middle of a conflict with people he once considered friends. It was during this time that another Seattle rapper (who will not be mentioned by name in this article) reportedly began “bad mouthing” him over his claims to be “that dude” around their way. In Seattle this launched a much-publicized feud that has yet to be officially squashed.
Still, through it all Anthony Shears has been hustling. The entrepreneur continued to record new material and release hit single after hit single. That’s what you call being on the grind. The saga will continue in late March with the release of The Growth Mixtape: My ENDtroduction, Anthony’s much-anticipated follow up to Welcome 2 Seattle. Haters better mark that date on their calendar because the Shears Music Group is coming for that a**.
Okay, let’s get these hardball questions out of the way first. You’re beef with certain people has been well publicized in Seattle earlier this year. What’s the current situation?
You tell me (laughing). You keep up with that stuff, not me. I’m enjoying myself right now man. I heard their little tape. I thought it was cute. Niggas know where to find me though if it’s really an issue.
Sixshot.com: Do you feel like people intentionally try to come at you sideways to start something?
I think it’s about insecurity and a need for attention – part of it’s also about trying to portray an image. These dudes aren’t really involved in the streets. Most of these dudes know me from back before music. They know I’m not putting street shit on tapes. I mean really, who gets on tape while there are still investigations pending? That’s not gangster. They also know if they say something about me, and I really have a problem with it, I’ll make sure they feel it. I’m not really into saying names, so if they’re looking for free publicity, they’re barking up the wrong tree.
Sixshot.com: Why did their comments get you so upset?
I mean… these guys were supposed to be my dudes. I know these cats personally. I leave for a while, come back, and now they’re supposed to be some real street characters? If they’re really in streets, I don’t understand why they waited until I left to speak on me and my guy (Phonetic). I had just run into these guys, and they were approaching me on some “Seattle-should-stick-together” shit, asking to do a song together. It’s all a publicity stunt. Real talk, I don’t need beef to move units no disrespect to 50 cent. Besides, if it were really a problem, why put it on tape?
Sixshot.com: Well, you dropped a lethal response on them so hopefully it’s water under the bridge. Let’s switch gears. What’s on the horizon for the Shears Music Group?
First, let me clear that up (laughing), I didn’t drop a response on them. I didn’t mention any names on the tape. These dudes aren’t even on my radar. It’s not beef. If it were, it wouldn’t be on tape. Their comparisons are petty to me. They ATTEMPT to make rap music. SMG makes life music. It’s not an issue for me right now. I guess that could change at any point though (laughing).
As far as the Shears Music Group - We’re looking forward to the release of The Growth. We’re also looking into expanding our artist roster. We’re coming out with a new line of SMG Clothing again too. Phonetic felt like it was his time to do his fashion thing so we’re adding “Verbal” Fashions to the mix.
Sixshot.com: When did you record The Growth Mixtape?
Yesterday (laughing). It was a few months ago. We knocked it out in about 8 hours. I had a lot of time to think with having been away, so I went in real prepared. I had so much to say. The challenge this time was trying to fit it all in without over killing it.
Sixshot.com: Welcome 2 Seattle had everything. You had such variety, and the beats were crazy. What’s the biggest difference between that project and the new joint?
It’s the growth homie! Everything has grown. We’re both more mature now. Phonetic has grown as a producer, I’ve grown as an artist. The beats are better, more intricate. The rhymes are better. Up until now, I don’t feel like I’ve really shown people where I’m at lyrically. I don’t think Phonetic had really shown people where he was at musically. There have been a lot of comparisons made – which is both good and bad I guess. The Growth Mixtape is like our alpha and omega. The beginning of Shears Music Group, and the end of the comparisons.
Sixshot.com: Lots of rappers claim to be the CEO and running their company, but you actually seem to be pretty hands on with the Shears Music Group.
I’m a businessman first and foremost. I hustle man! It’s in my blood. Ask my momma. I love Hip Hop, but I think the game is set up for artist to fail. I’m not that dude to get played by any means, and I think that intimidates a lot of people. Sir Mix-a-lot is from Seattle, and after having two of the biggest singles of the 90s, he has very little to show for it. No disrespect to dude. I guess I’m just different. I’m not just looking to get on. I’m looking for the best situation possible. I got a lot of mouths to feed man! In the beginning, my business-first approach made it hard to get in the door. People know I’m not going to let them play me, so a lot of people in the industry stay away from me. I’m on top of every penny, every percentage. It’s not an image for me. When I say I'm a hustler, I mean it in every sense of the word. True story man (laughing). It’s gotta be like that or this game will chew you up and spit you out. Besides, its destiny man. I’m Emmett Till back to collect what’s mine. That’s how it works. We die and come back reincarnated to collect. Oprah’s Hariet Tubman back to collect (laughing). But seriously.
Sixshot.com: Okay, I want you to finish the next four statements about The Growth Mixtape. Ready?
Ok.
Sixshot.com: If I liked “Old Cliché,” I’ll love…
If you liked “Old Cliché,” you’ll love “My Crutch.” It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. The beat came on when we were setting up for the session and I just rhymed over it. Rap has been like my crutch since I was real small. Through the best of times and the worst of times.
Sixshot.com: If I liked “Trapped,” I’ll love…
If you liked “Trapped,” you’ll love “Mea Culpa.” This track is deep man. A lot has happened over the last year. There are bits and pieces in the song, but you really gotta listen to it. When I first heard the track, I listened to it on repeat for like 2 hours. Just the instrumental. It’s a deep song period.
Sixshot.com: Okay, if I liked “U Can’t Hurt Me Anymore,” I’ll love…
If you liked “U Can’t Hurt Me Anymore,” you’ll love “You Don’t Want Me 2 Go There.” Again, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. The beats nuts, my flow is ridiculous (laughing). Niggas don’t really want me to go there. They wanna keep it industry. They wanna play dress up and be pretty boys. It’s whatever though. Should they ever wanna come to the trenches, I’m here – and it’s real dirty out here (laughing).
Sixshot.com: Last one, if I liked “Reflections,” I’ll love…
If you liked “Reflections,” you love “Introspection.” This song wrote itself. Sometimes you get that track that forces you to open up, that forces you to act like there’s no one in the tech room, no technicians, no microand no microphone in the booth. It’s just you alone in there. When that happens, you gotta just open up and let it out. This is my thank you to everybody down since day one.
Sixshot.com: The Growth Mixtape drops in this summer. How do you defeat the bootleg man? Or is there even a way to?
Who Chuck? Naw, that’s my dude, I can’t knock dudes hustle (laughing). I know a lot of people are wondering why I don’t just come out with an album. I guess I feel like people need to know what they’re getting. I know, as a fan, I’m tired of paying $15 for 2 hot tracks. I want to know I’m getting my money’s worth. These mixtapes are to show people exactly what I'm about. They’re to let niggas know that when you buy SMG music, you’re buying some dope shit.
Sixshot.com: Were you a football or basketball player, probably basketball because you’re from Seattle…
Basketball baby. I grew up playing ball with all of the best niggas from around my way. Jamal Crawford, Doug Wrenn, The Burleson brothers, Nate Robinson, Tre Simmons, Luke Ridnour. My whole family is nuts on the court too. My brothers Norris, and Marquel, cousins Nel & Ray Butler… Even my moms played ball back in her day.
Sixshot.com: Okay, if you were a basketball player, who would you be? Who would your skills as a rapper most equate with?
I’d probably be Lebron just cause he’s that nigga. He’s so young, with so much talent. It’s like rookie of the year was anti-climatic. It’s just the tip of the iceberg. I can’t front on the local niggas around my way. Jamal Crawford is that nigga too. I played against dude in high school and he was that nigga back then. Nel’s game is crazy too. He’s like 6’5, running the point. Kind of reminds me of Magic back in the day. If I could really really be anybody, I’d be Shaq homie, wear my rings and just bang on niggas (laughing).
Sixshot.com: Do you ever run into Jamal Crawford over there in Seattle?
Yeah, all the time. Playing streetball or at the clubs. He’s that guy around my way.
Sixshot.com: As one of, if not the hottest rapper in Seattle, what does the Reign City have to do to get put on?
Kill the hatred and strong-arm radio stations (Laughing). A lot of artist here can’t deal with others success. When I was in Atlanta, it was so ill to see how tight they all were. They all worked different avenues, and put each other on. Luda was on the radio, Lil’ John was an A & R at So So Def. Shaka was too I think. Jermaine had his label. Outkast put on their whole Dungeon Family, and the whole Organized Noise thing. We don’t really have that here. Here an artist has to either stand alone, or not stand at all. What’s real is that Clear Channel and shit, they don’t care about none of us. All they care about is dollars. If we’re not putting each other on, as far as the press, performances, and radio, who’s going to do it? Niggas need to go into these radio stations and bully these radio niggas. Make threats, whatever it takes (laughing).
Sixshot.com: Aiight bruh, thanks for taking some time to talk; much success with the new album.
Thank you. Big shout out to the whole 2-0-6. Hold me down! Be easy man.
For info on scheduling future shows contact:
Shearsmusicgroup@hotmail.com
or
Contact@ShearsMusicGroup.com
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